The Valkyrie's Bond (Halfblood Rising Book 1)

by Lucy Roy

  When they finally pulled down the shady road that led to Aldridge, Freya shifted in her seat to get a better glimpse of the tall, wooden gates that loomed ahead. Towering oak trees bordered the sprawling grounds of the university, and as unseen magic opened the gates to usher them inside, neatly-trimmed lawns rose away from the main road. A stone path that bisected the vibrant lawn led from the gates to the behemoth stone structure that housed the classrooms of the academy. Some students lounged about on the front lawn, while others walked along the paths in small groups chatting with one another.

  She thought it would be rushed, more fitting to the capital, but instead it seemed… serene.

  As Freya hopped down from the carriage, taking the footman’s hand when he reached out to help, she inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the woods, the pines and oaks that towered above, and the flower beds overflowing with blooms that waved gently in the breeze along the fence. The unfettered scent of nature was a far cry from the brine-and-soot smell of Watoria, and while she felt a bit homesick being so far from what she’d become accustomed to, she had to admit this wasn’t the worst place to call home. Everything about it carried an air of serenity, something she was suddenly eager to explore in depth.

  “I take it by your expression you aren’t entirely disappointed to be here?” Balthana asked.

  Keeping her eyes trained forward, she huffed. “I suppose circumstances could be worse,” she admitted. “Although I’ve never once said I wouldn’t like it here.”

  “Come, I’ll take you to your dormitory.”

  Freya desperately wanted to get a lay of the land from above, but instead chose to follow the commander as he led her away from the carriage.

  Despite her skills, her rarity and parentage often caused others to either avoid her entirely or attempt to slip into her good graces. She knew it was only a matter of time before her true identity was revealed, but for the time being, she just wanted to bask in her anonymity. A student eager to succeed, just like everyone else, as opposed to the daughter of one of the fiercest warriors and most gifted witches Lindoroth had ever seen.

  Tightening the strap of her bag on her shoulder, she followed the commander through the wide gates and up the path toward the main building. Matching her stride to his, she eyed the busy campus warily.

  “Shouldn’t I check in somewhere?” she asked when he began to veer off the main path toward a cluster of four stone buildings nestled along the woods away from the academic building that had rose with grandiosity in front of them. Small turrets rose at all four corners of each, the windows tall and arched. If the buildings hadn’t been so lovely, the silence and ivy snaking up the walls would’ve made them seem abandoned, Freya thought.

  “That’s already been taken care of,” he replied. “You’re to meet with Headmistress Dyren tomorrow morning to go over your coursework, schedule, and whatever else she feels needs discussing.”

  “What am I to do with myself for the rest of today, then?” she asked, annoyed. “You were in such a rush to get me here, after all.”

  “Meet your new roommate, get to know the campus, hopefully make some friends,” he said, ascending the three marble steps that led to the glass dormitory entrance. “I’m quite sure those skills aren’t beyond you.”

  Clenching her teeth, she sent him a stormy glare as she passed him and entered the building, where a wide, curved staircase greeted them. On the left, an archway opened into a quaint common area with overstuffed couches and a fireplace, and to the right, a second archway revealed a small study area, the walls lined with shelves of books from floor to ceiling. A fireplace was set in the far wall, and three long wooden tables sat in the center of the room, giving Freya a clear image of students hunched over texts and whispering softly. Both rooms were brightly sun-lit through the curtained windows that faced the busy grounds of campus, with gas-fuels lamps installed on the walls to chase away the gloom come nightfall.

  As the door shut with a thud behind them, Freya noticed it was conspicuously quiet inside.

  Freya peered into the other rooms. “Where is everyone?”

  He started up the stairs, not looking back as he answered. “On their way to a gathering with the headmistress. I thought it best it not be made obvious I was the one settling you in.”

  Knowing better than to ask why he hadn’t brought her there, Freya followed him up two flights of stairs to the top floor, pausing to look out the large window on the landing of the staircase. The building was laid out in a square with a large central courtyard that appeared to offer outdoor living space that could be enjoyed in Iladel’s warmest months.

  When they reached the hallway that contained her living quarters, he pulled a large brass key from his pocket and opened the door, then gestured for Freya to go in.

  A short entryway led away from the door into a large room. Two wood-framed sleigh beds were pushed against the walls on either side, one already made up with a soft pink quilt and airy-looking pillows. A small stack of books sat on the nightstand beside it. Matching armoires were built into the walls on either side of the window seat that overlooked the campus grounds. The walls were a similar color to the exterior stone—a pale, unassuming gray—and the floors were made of deep brown hardwood that had been smoothed with age. A pale blue rug embroidered with a complex floral pattern covered most of the floor, which Freya hoped would keep some of the chill at bay once night fell. Despite the summer heat that still permeated the capital, nights in the mountains, even as low as the foothills, often turned chilly in the summer.

  “Lea should be arriving a bit later,” the commander said, hovering at the mouth of the entryway. “So go on and get yourself settled. And Freya?”

  Turning to face him, she gave him a questioning look. “Hmm?”

  “Be nice.”

  She feigned offense, pressing a hand to her heart and letting her mouth drop open in an O of shock. “What little you think of me!”

  He gave her a chastising look, then left the room.

  There was a slightly musty smell lingering in the air, no doubt a result of the building having been sealed up for several months while the academy was closed for the summer holiday. Moving to the window, she pushed the white sheers aside and slid up the sash, letting in a soft, warm breeze.

  She dropped her bag onto the unclaimed bed, then groaned when she realized all of her belongings were still on their way from the port and likely wouldn’t arrive for several hours. Cursing Balthana for his haste when they disembarked, she threw open the wardrobe on her side of the room and opened the drawers, breathing a sigh of relief when she found a small pile of white sheets and a blue quilt. They would do for the time being, although she was desperately wishing for the down quilt from her bed in Watoria.

  After making her bed, Freya eyed her bag of belongings before looking back at the soft mattress. Seeing no choice between unpacking or sleeping, she kicked off her boots and flopped down on the bed, burying her face in the pillow.

  “Do you think we should wake her?”

  “I don’t know!”

  “Well, I wouldn’t!”

  “I don’t think Valkyrie take kindly to being woken by strangers.”

  “They don’t,” Freya mumbled into her pillow. “And you’ve already done it so you might as well stop hissing over there.” Rolling onto her back, she rubbed her eyes, then sat up, frowning as her mind tried to adjust to the dim light coming through the windows. It seemed she’d slept longer than she intended.

  Running a hand through her hair and frowning when her fingers snagged in the tangled brown locks, she looked at the three people standing across the room. A dark-skinned, waifish female with wide, bright blue eyes—Grevillea, she assumed—stood between two males, biting her lip. She had curly, black-brown hair tied up in a chignon and wore a flowing blouse and pants set in pale blue and beige. The male to the girl’s right had similar coloring and striking green eyes, with short black hair cut close to his scalp.

  The second m
ale, the one who stood to her left, had hair that was a vibrant shade of red, with pale skin and a smattering of freckles across a perfectly straight nose.

  Freya inhaled a bit, taking in their scents. The female carried the sweet scent of a witch, but the two males smelled heavily of wolf.

  “A witch and two wolves.” She stood and gave them all an appraising look. “I’ll assume you’re Gr—”

  “For the love of all that’s holy, please do not finish that sentence,” the girl said, holding up a hand and closing her eyes. “Call me Lea. My proper name was a cruel, drunken trick on my parents’ part that I have yet to forgive them for. And yes, I’m a witch.”

  Freya’s lips quirked up in a smile. “Lea it is, then.” Angling her head, she addressed the two males. “I don’t know who you are, though.”

  The one on Lea’s right lifted a hand in greeting, his green eyes brightening as he smiled. “I’m Lazarus Cailen, Lea’s cousin. You can call me Laz.”

  “Cailen, as in Governor Cailen of Caelora?” Freya asked.

  “The very same,” Laz confirmed. “Rischa Cailen is my father.”

  “And King Salazar’s cousin, making you one of Aerelius’ cousins, too.” She arched a brow at the other male. “And you? Are you a governor’s son and cousin to the prince, as well?”

  “Nephew, actually, and no, there’s no relation. I’m Collin Maddix. My uncle is Gunnar Maddix of Allanor,” the auburn-haired male said.

  “Ah!” Freya smiled. “Yes, I believe my grandfather named your uncle as his successor. I’ve only met him once, but Governor Maddix seems to be a good man. He’s done well by Allanor since he was appointed.” As was tradition in Lindoroth, each governor chose their own successor prior to retirement. Freya’s grandfather, Governor Jora Enrieth, had retired fifteen years past, naming in his place Lord Gunnar Maddix to succeed him.

  “Yes, he always spoke highly of Governor Enrieth and was quite saddened by his passing,” Collin told her, tilting his head to the side and running those stunning blue eyes over her. “Don’t mind me saying this, but you look different than I expected. More… plain.”

  Lea smacked his chest. “She doesn’t look plain, you buffoon.”

  Collin’s eyes widened. “No, I only meant—”

  She gave Freya a smile, then stepped forward and held out her hand. “Ignore him, please. He doesn’t get out much. They live in the dorm just next door,” she said, gesturing toward the window where their building could be seen about twenty yards off.

  Freya shook the outstretched hand as she eyed them all suspiciously. “Are you all to be my watchdogs, then?”

  Lazarus and Collin exchanged a confused look.

  Lea’s eyes widened in surprise. “Heavens, no!” She clicked her tongue then made a sound of disgust. “Is that what Balthana told you? Oh, I’m going to wring his—” Cutting herself off, she took a deep breath. “No, Freya, none of us are going to be your ‘watchdogs.’ Commander Balthana simply wanted to ensure you roomed with someone well-suited to helping you reacclimate to life in the capital. As Aer’s cousin, I am just that. These two just like to follow me around,” she added, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. “They’re easy enough to ignore, though.”

  Freya bit back a smirk. “Alright, then. I’ll hold you to that.” At that, her stomach rumbled, reminding her that all she’d had to eat was the sandwich the commander had given her hours earlier. “Well, now that we’re such good friends and all, care to tell me where I can get something to eat?”

  “The dining hall is open for a few more hours, and we were just about to head over for dinner,” Lea said. “We were hoping you’d join us.”

  “That sounds great,” Freya said, surprised at how easy her answering smile came.

  “Alright, then!” Lea beamed at her. “Let’s go!”

  “So, Freya, the most important thing to remember here is that Aldridge is full of cliques,” Lea said quietly as the four traversed the grassy expanse of Aldridge’s grounds toward the brightly lit stone building that housed dining hall. “Some are better than others, but it’d be in your best interest to cement your status as quickly as possible to avoid the wrong types trying to sink their claws in.”

  “The wrong types?” Freya eyed her dubiously, hoping her initial opinion of females in the capital wasn’t about to be confirmed. “What does that mean?”

  “Oh!” Lea covered her mouth with her hand when she realized how her words had been construed. “I don’t mean—no, it’s just that opportunism is rampant here. There are certain groups who are, to put it simply, cruel. Females, mainly, hoping to detract attention from others in the hopes of finding a mate.” She rolled her eyes. “It will be especially awful this year, what with my cousin attending and all.”

  Freya sighed. “Well, I’m not here to find a mate, so they’re in luck.”

  “They don’t know that, though,” Collin replied from beside her. “You’re quite pretty, and considering your background and the fact that you’re a halfblood…”

  Lazarus snorted. “What my darling Collin is trying to say is, you will be, without question, competition. Or perceived competition. You won’t be given time to prove otherwise before some of the more rabid females here make that determination.”

  Once again, Freya became suspicious. “How do I know you three aren’t simply saying this to keep me close-by?”

  Lea looped her arm through Freya’s as they approached the outside stone patio of the dining hall, where the scent of deliciously cooking food from inside was wafting toward them. A dozen or so tables were scattered about, some crammed with students, others sitting empty.

  “Again, you don’t,” Lea told her. “And nothing any of us say will convince you otherwise.”

  Freya looked at her, surprised. “So why should I trust your intentions?”

  “Do you trust Commander Balthana?” Lea asked, arching a brow. “Do you trust his judgement?”

  “Now and then.”

  “Then that’s all you need for now.” Lea paused as Lazarus opened the door for them. “The rest will come in time, Freya, but I do hope we can be friends.”

  Smiling, Freya followed the three of them into the dining hall, quietly and surprisingly finding herself hoping for the same thing.

  Echoing voices buzzed throughout the large hall, far more than Freya had expected, despite the busy nature of campus earlier. Students sat at round tables, some perched on top, others in the benches around them, talking, laughing, and eating. There was a carefree air about the room, the sincerity of which Freya immediately questioned.

  Lea tugged on Freya’s arm and waved off the males. “Come, let’s take a table while Laz and Collin get us some dinner.”

  Collin looked at Freya in question. “They’ve got most everything here, so is there anything you don’t like?”

  “Not in the least,” Freya told him. “Feel free to surprise me.”

  As Lea led her toward the back of the room, Freya noticed two black-uniformed guards standing sentry along the wall. Her eyes were immediately drawn toward the table they were watching over, already knowing what, or who, she’d find there. There, holding court with a number of male and females, was Freya’s old friend, the dark-haired Prince Aerelius of House Harridan. A striking female, blond with all the signs of a would-be royal, sat at his side, laughing with the small group that surrounded him. She looked the type to set her goal for a mate high.

  There was no question who the female had set her sights on.

  Despite not having seen Aerelius for six years, she immediately noticed the muted look of vexation on his face, one he wore when he was annoyed and trying not to show it.

  Before Freya could glance away, Aerelius’ dark eyes lifted and he sent a look of pure exasperation at Lea before his gaze slid to meet Freya’s. His face took on a confused expression, then his lips tilted in a smirk, the same infuriating one she remembered from their youth. The one that somehow made his handsome face even more so.

  “H
e’s only here for dinner because the meeting with the headmistress ran so long,” Lea whispered, ignoring him and dragging Freya’s attention away from the prince’s table. “I told the boys we wouldn’t be sitting with him if the social leeches had descended before we got here, if that’s what’s got that look on your face. Unless you want to…”

  “No, it’s fine.” Freya forced herself to focus on her roommate. “I’d rather get to know you three, if that’s alright.”

  “Oh, I completely understand, trust me. And to be fair to my cousin, he can’t stand the lot of them. He’s just got to be polite, you know.” They came to a stop at an empty table in front of a picture window that looked out over a large pond. “Maybe now that we have a Valkyrie witch to scare them all off, he won’t have to worry about being bothered anymore.”

  Freya replied with a noncommittal hum as she took a seat across from Lea.

  “Well, what can you tell me about this place I’ll now call home?” she asked.

  Lea puffed out a breath of air, blowing a few stray curls from her forehead. “Goodness, where to begin? Let’s see… have you gotten your schedule yet?”

  “No, I’m to meet with the headmistress tomorrow.”

  Lea nodded, narrowing her eyes as she bit her lip. “Well, there’s only so much I can say without knowing who your professors will be, although those I’ve met already seem to be quite fair. As for the student body… I would keep to yourself for the most part, observe more than you interact for the first few days or even the week, otherwise you won’t get a proper feel for the place.”

  “But above all, make sure you mark your place here,” Lazarus said, setting two trays down and taking a seat beside her.

  “Ideally in Combat,” Collin said, putting a tray with a small bowl of soup, a piece of seeded bread, and a plate of fruit in front of Lea while setting another tray loaded with food down at his own place. “Otherwise, females like Myria—the shameless blonde fawning over the prince—will challenge you at the first opportunity they see.”